Melbourne food company 'underpaid driver $32k'

Ombudsman takes Melbourne company to court alleging it underpaid truck driver more than $32,000

The Fair Work Ombudsman is taking a Melbourne food company to court alleging it underpaid a delivery truck driver more than $32,000 between 2003 and 2008.

Olara and Exofun Private Limited, trading as Exclusive Food Houses in Moorabbin, employed the driver from 1983 until 2008.

The driver in question has since had the money back paid to him, but Ombudsman Executive Director Michael Campbell says prosecution is necessary.

"This was a very large alleged underpayment of a low-paid worker and we are asking the court to impose a penalty both as a specific deterrence to those involved and as a general deterrent to others," Campbell says.

The maximum penalty per breach of workplace law is $33,000 for a company and $6,600 for an individual.